****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This spreader will cover more ground, faster, with less hassle, for less money than anything I've tried. I've been using spreaders for 40 years.I've used several of the kinds that roll on the ground and broadcast. They're slow because they're low to the ground and the seed (or fertilizer) hits the ground before it can go very far. Also, you can't vary the spin rate independently of your walking rate (as I explain later).I've used rolling drop spreaders, and while they are very precise, they are even slower than rolling broadcasters because they cover such a narrow path. I do use them for seed to cover areas close to beds so that I can avoid growing grass in the beds.Until I got this spreader, the fastest things I'd used were the old hand-carried, wood-and-metal-and-canvas broadcast spreaders. They had two problems. When you filled them you had to have help because the canvas top would bend, and the whole thing would flop over and spill. If you used fertilizer in them they would last one season before they corroded so badly, they were useless. They were cheap, and they were very fast, and a lot of pros used them for seed and even fertilizer. I used them because they were fast, but lately I haven't seen them in the stores, probably because people kept beating up the retailers over the corrosion problem.Then, from Amazon, I got a very expensive, hand-carried broadcast spreader call the Solo. Terrible choice. It didn't fall over, and it didn't corrode, but it was slow as molasses in the winter and didn't spread evenly. It was also very hard to use without catching your finger in the mechanism. It didn't hold a lot either. I hated it.My neighbor had a huge, heavy, pro-grade handheld broadcaster that worked pretty well, didn't fall over, and didn't corrode. I used it once. I lift weights, but this thing was terribly unwieldly. I actually tried several times to find one at the Farmer's Supply where he said he got it, and I never could. Now I'm glad I didn't.I've used the little one-handed scoop-shaped spreaders you find a Home Depot et al. They are fine for sprinkling seed on spots, but they're too small for full yards. You'd do better spreading by hand out of a bag.And then along comes the Earthway 2750. It does everything the old hand-carried, wood-and-metal-and-canvas broadcast spreaders would do, only better in terms of smooth cranking and speed variability. It won't corrode (although I do worry about one little screw). It doesn't flop over for two reasons: (1) it has vertical plastic pieces you install in the front and back of the bag to hold it up; (2) it has a wide, very stable base to keep the whole thing from tipping over. The zipper on top is a nice touch to ensure that it doesn't spill when you're hoisting it onto your shoulder. It costs a lot less than the Solo and will cover a yard more evenly in about 20 percent of the time.Now, let me manage expectations. If you've never used a hand-held broadcast spreader before, don't fill it all the way up the first time. You especially don't want to fill it all the way up with heavy fertilizer. Once it's loaded, start out gingerly. Prop it against your stomach to get it out in front of you. You vary the width of the path that you sow by how fast you turn the crank (which slings the seed out). The amount that you put down per square yard depends on three things: (1) how far back you pull the left-hand lever; (2) how fast you walk; and (3) how fast you crank (because that varies the width). It is not like learning to ride a bicycle, but it does take getting used to. Once you get the hang of it (punny) you'll find it gives you wonderful control -- far more than any rolling spreader.Okay, I read the review from the person who said she got the fertilizer all over her. I just walked in from using it, and I don't have a particle of fertilizer on me, but I certainly understand how it can happen. Before you fill it up the first time, hold it in position and walk while turning the crank. Pull back the left (valve or throttle) lever and look down to see what the valve in the bottom is doing. Get comfortable doing that much first. Next, fill it about 1/4 full. Start walking and cranking BEFORE you open the valve. Open it slowly. If you do this, I predict you'll be totally successful the first time out and not waste a bit of seed or fertilizer.I also read the review from the guy who broke his spreader. I was concerned by that. The only way I can see that happening would be if you tried to strong-arm the crank. Just spin it up gently before you open the valve. If you try to spin it up fast when it's clogged with fertilizer, you could stress the mechanism. If you are using pelletized fertilizer, you're going to need to break up any clumps. Follow these suggestions, and I'll be very surprised if you break it.***Update*** I've now been using this spreader for over a year, and I'm still sold on it. It still works like new.Good luck!Tim
